U.S. patent application number 14/971167 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for power harvesting.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTEL CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is INTEL CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Andrey Belogolovy.
Application Number | 20170181110 14/971167 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59066935 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170181110 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Belogolovy; Andrey |
June 22, 2017 |
POWER HARVESTING
Abstract
Techniques for forming a wireless RF power harvesting and data
network are described. An example electronic device includes an
antenna array, a processor, and instructions to direct the actions
of the processor. The instructions control the processor to perform
a registration process for a power harvesting device. The
registration process is to obtain information that enables the
transmission of a targeted power packet to the power harvesting
device through beamforming. The instructions also direct the
processor transmit the targeted power packet to the power
harvesting device.
Inventors: |
Belogolovy; Andrey;
(Hillsboro, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTEL CORPORATION |
Santa Clara |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
INTEL CORPORATION
Santa Clara
CA
|
Family ID: |
59066935 |
Appl. No.: |
14/971167 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/025 20130101;
H04W 52/58 20130101; H04W 72/0406 20130101; H04W 72/0473 20130101;
H02J 7/02 20130101; H02J 50/23 20160201; H04L 5/0055 20130101; H02J
7/00034 20200101; H02J 50/80 20160201; H04W 72/048 20130101; H04W
4/80 20180201; H02J 50/90 20160201 |
International
Class: |
H04W 52/54 20060101
H04W052/54 |
Claims
1. An electronic device to provide a wireless RF power harvesting
and data network, the electronic device comprising: an antenna
array; a processor; and a controller to control the processor to:
perform a registration process for a power harvesting device to
obtain information that enables transmission of a targeted power
packet to the power harvesting device through beamforming; and
transmit the targeted power packet to the power harvesting
device.
2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the information that
enables transmission of the targeted power packet to the power
harvesting device through beamforming is location information
received from the power harvesting device.
3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the information that
enables transmission of the targeted power packet to the power
harvesting device through beamforming is characteristics of a
signal received by the antenna array from the power harvesting
device.
4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the registration
process includes broadcasting a schedule of time slots to be used
by the power harvesting device.
5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the power harvesting
device randomly selects one of the time slots to send power
harvester identification information to the electronic device.
6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein, prior to each of the
time slots, the electronic device broadcasts a power waveform to
power the power harvesting device.
7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the power harvester
identification information received during a previous one of the
time slots is encoded in the power waveform.
8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device
is a wireless network access device.
9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device
is a device selected from a group that includes a laptop computer,
a desktop computer, a tablet computer, and a smart phone.
10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the power harvesting
device is a wearable device or an Internet of Things (IoT)
device.
11. A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising
instructions that, when executed by a processor, direct the
processor to control a wireless charging device, the instructions
to control the processor to: broadcast wireless power to enable a
power harvesting device to activate; receive, from the power
harvesting device, information that enables transmission of a
targeted power packet to the power harvesting device through
beamforming; and transmit the targeted power packet to the power
harvesting device.
12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the
information that enables transmission of the targeted power packet
to the power harvesting device through beamforming is location
information received from the power harvesting device.
13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the
information that enables transmission of the targeted power packet
to the power harvesting device through beamforming is
characteristics of a signal received by an antenna array from the
power harvesting device.
14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, comprising
instructions to generate a schedule of time slots to be broadcast
to the power harvesting device.
15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the power
harvesting device randomly selects one of the time slots to
transmit power harvester identification information to be received
by the processor.
16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, comprising
instructions to control the processor to broadcasts a power
waveform to power the power harvesting device prior to each of the
time slots.
17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, comprising
instructions to control the processor to encode the power harvester
identification information received during a previous one of the
time slots into the power waveform.
18. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the
computer-readable medium is included in a wireless network access
device.
19. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the
computer-readable medium is included in a device selected from a
group that includes a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet
computer, and a smart phone.
20. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the power
harvesting device is a wearable device or an Internet of Things
(IoT) device.
21. A method comprising: broadcasting wireless power to enable a
power harvesting device to activate; receiving information from the
power harvesting device that enables transmission of a targeted
power packet to the power harvesting device through beamforming;
and transmitting the targeted power packet to the power harvesting
device.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the information that enables
the transmission of targeted power packet to the power harvesting
device through beamforming is location information received from
the power harvesting device.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the information that enables
the transmission of targeted power packet to the power harvesting
device through beamforming is characteristics of a signal received
by an antenna array from the power harvesting device.
24. The method of claim 21, comprising broadcasting a schedule of
time slots to the power harvesting device.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the power harvesting device
randomly selects one of the time slots to transmit power harvester
identification information.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to techniques for
wirelessly powering devices. Specifically, this disclosure relates
to communication protocols for simultaneous power and data
transmission.
BACKGROUND
[0002] As computer miniaturization progresses more and more
products will be equipped with some form of sensing, computing,
wireless communication abilities. The networking of objects through
embedded electronics is sometimes referred to as Internet of Things
(IoT). Electronics for enabling IoT can be embedded into a variety
of objects, such as watches, bracelets, pens, keys, badges, and
flash drives. Electronics such as sensors may be embedded in walls,
furniture, pipes, and other area where there may not be easy
physical access to the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a group of devices that may be
configured to form a data and power harvesting network.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of a method of establishing
a joint data and power transmission network.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a timing diagram showing an example broadcasting
transmission schedule used for registration of harvesters.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a timing diagram showing an example transmission
schedule used for communicating with the harvesters after they have
been registered.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a medium that contains
logic for forming a data and power harvesting network as described
herein.
[0008] The same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and the
figures to reference like components and features. Numbers in the
100 series refer to features originally found in FIG. 1; numbers in
the 200 series refer to features originally found in FIG. 2; and so
on.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to techniques
for power harvesting. As mentioned above, electronics are
increasingly being embedded in a wide variety of objects, such as
IoT devices and wearable electronics. In such devices, operating
power is used for sensing, processing, and data transmission.
Considering the increasing number of such objects and the
possibility that some objects may not be easily accessible,
powering the electronics in these objects may be cumbersome. For
the electronics in IoT devices and wearables, Radio Frequency (RF)
power harvesting techniques may be used to avoid the use of
battery.
[0010] The present disclosure describes a communication protocol
that can be used provide simultaneous power and data transmission
between power harvesting devices and a data collection hub. The hub
can locate a power harvesting device and then form a directed
transmission of data together with an energy packet that is
intended specifically for the identified power harvesting device.
By directing the RF energy at a specific identified power
harvesting device, the use of that RF energy can be harvested more
efficiently.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a group of devices that may be
configured to form a data and power harvesting network. FIG. 1
shows two types of devices, referred to herein as hubs 102 and
harvesters 104. The hubs 102 transmit wireless power through RF
energy and the harvesters 104 harvest the power transmitted by the
hubs 102. The hubs 102 will be relatively large form factor devices
that have a relatively powerful battery and/or are connected to a
powerline. Examples of hubs 102 include a laptop, a desktop
computer, a tablet computer, a smartphones, a smart watch, a
wireless network access device such as a router or modem, and the
like.
[0012] The harvesters 104 are relatively small form factor devices
that may not be equipped with a battery or configured to receive
power from a power line. The harvesters 104 may be embedded in any
number of objects, including home appliances such as a wall clock,
light bulb, light switch, smoke detector, thermometer, barometer,
or thermostat. The harvesters 104 may also be embedded in personal
items, such as keys, thumb drives, a wallet, and others. The
harvesters 104 may also be sensors embedded in furniture or the
house infrastructure. The types of objects that may include a
harvester 104 is not limited by the list of objects provided
herein. Each harvester 104 may be configured to collect and report
a particular type of information, including, but not limited to,
environmental conditions such as pressure and temperature data,
time, location, air quality, status of an object, and others.
[0013] Other examples of harvesters 104 may include wearable
electronics such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and others. It
should be noted that the characterization of a device as a hub 102
or a harvester 104 is not necessarily dependent on the type of
object that the device is coupled to. For example, a device such as
a smartwatch may be configured as either a hub 102 or a harvester
104. Some or all of the harvesters 104 may IoT devices. However,
the techniques described herein are not limited to IoT devices.
[0014] The present description may be described from the
perspective of a single hub. However, it will be appreciated that
the data and power harvesting network may include a single hub or
multiple hubs operating simultaneously. Each hub 102 may be
configured to perform a discovery and registration process to
identify the harvesters 104 within its communications range. Each
harvester 104 may transmit identifying information to the hub 102
to enable the hub 102 to target specific harvesters 104 with
directed data and power delivery. The harvesters 104 can also send
status and/or measurement information depending on the particular
type of data that the harvester 104 is configured to gather.
[0015] To periodically execute the discovery and registration
process and after registration, the hub 102 will transmit energy
packets to the various harvesters 104. The energy packet can be a
specific preamble with a given duration that that enables the
device to harvest enough power for the rest of communication cycle.
In some examples, the energy packet can be a non-modulated
predefined waveform that the power harvesting device can use for
backscattering, i.e., re-radiation based transmission.
[0016] The hub 102 can also identify the physical locations of the
harvesters 104. In some examples, the location may be provided by
the harvester 104, which transmits location information to the hub
102. In some examples, the location of a harvester 104 is
determined by the hub 102 based on characteristics of the signal
received from the harvester 104. Identifying the direction of a
harvester 104 enables the hub 102 to target the harvester 104 with
a directed beam of energy.
[0017] To provide directional power transmission, the hub 102 can
include a directional transmitter that can be adjusted to direct
transmissions of data and power in a specified direction. For
example, in an antenna array, the relative phase and amplitude of
each radiator in the array can be adjusted to focus the beam of
energy toward the location of the targeted harvester 104. The hub
102 may transmit power and data at an unlicensed frequency, for
example, 2.4 GigaHertz (GHz), 24 GHz, or 60 GHz. Higher
transmission frequencies will generally result in smaller beam
width and, thus, more efficient power transmission with less wasted
power. Table 1 below provides an example of beam widths that can be
accomplished for a 30 centimeter (cm) diameter antenna.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Beam Width for Several Unlicensed Frequency
Bands For 30 cm diameter antennas. Frequency 99.9% beam width 2.4
GHz 117 degrees 24 GHz 12 degrees 60 GHz 4.7 degrees
[0018] The location of a particular harvester 104 may be provided
by the harvester 104 itself or may be determined by the hub 102.
For example, the location of the harvester 104 can be
pre-programmed into the harvester 104 by a user or the harvester
104 may include circuitry that enables it to sense and periodically
update its location. Such circuitry may include a Global Position
System (GPS), triangulation of wireless signals, and others.
[0019] The hub 102 may be configured to determine a relative
location of a particular power harvester 104 based on
characteristics of the signal received from the power harvester
104, rather than information encoded in the signal. For example,
the phase and amplitude of the signal received from the harvester
104 will generally be different for each antenna in the antenna
array, depending on the relative location of the harvester 104 with
respect to the individual antennas. The phase an amplitude
information may be used to compute an approximate location. In some
examples, the same relative phase and amplitude measured for each
antenna can be also used as beamforming parameters to focus the
beam of energy in the same direction from which it was received.
The antenna array will include at least two antennas and can
include any suitable number of antennas. The greater the number of
antennas in the antenna array, the more narrowly the beam can be
focused. For 60 GHz, the antenna array may include 16 or 32
antennas.
[0020] In the data and power harvesting network, there could be
dozens of power harvesting devices within the communication range
of the hub 102. The protocol described herein enables the hub 102
to identify and determine a location for individual harvesters. In
this way, the wireless transmission of power can be focused at each
harvester 104 individually. Features of the communication protocol
are described further in relation to FIG. 2.
[0021] The block diagram of FIG. 1 is not intended to indicate that
the data and power harvesting network are to include all of the
components shown in FIG. 1. Further, the data and power harvesting
network may include any number of additional components not shown
in FIG. 1, depending on the details of a specific
implementation.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of a method of establishing
a joint data and power transmission network. The method may be
performed by a hub, such as one of the hubs 102 shown in FIG. 1.
The method may begin at block 202.
[0023] At block 202, the hub broadcasts a beacon. The beacon wakes
the harvesters within range and provides enough RF energy to enable
the harvesters to communicate with the hub during the registration
process. The beacon is not aimed at any particular target. In some
examples, beamforming may not be used during the broadcast of the
beacon, and the beacon may be broadcast in an omnidirectional
pattern. However, other radiation patterns are also possible. For
example, if the hub is a wireless router, beamforming may be used
to direct the energy in a manner such that the entire room is
covered while less energy is radiated upward or in other directions
where harvesters are unlikely to be.
[0024] At block 204, the hub send broadcast of data including a
schedule of future power packets. The data broadcast by the hub at
this time may also include other data, including identifiers such
as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and Media Access Control (MAC)
addresses. Identifiers may also include information about the
device type, for example, whether the device is a temperature
sensor, a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, and so forth. The
data broadcast by the hub can also include parameters describing
properties of the hub, such as number of antennas, maximum
transmission power, maximum number of users that can connect,
operation schedule (who should transmit and when) that was already
prepared, and others. The schedule describes the timing for future
power packets and idle time slots in which the harvesters can
respond. An example of such a schedule is described in relation to
FIG. 3.
[0025] At block 206, the hub broadcasts a power waveform to be
harvested. As in block 202, the power waveform broadcast at block
206 is not aimed at a particular harvester.
[0026] At block 208, the hub attempts to receive data from a
harvester. To do this, the hub enters an idle period in accordance
with the broadcast schedule and listens for a response by a
harvester. At this time, there is no information about the number
of harvesters in the area, so there is no schedule for them. In
some examples, the harvesters use random timeslot selection and
exponential back off principle to transmit their identifiers in a
selected timeslot, so collisions may happen.
[0027] The data received from a harvester may include a unique
identifier of the harvester. For example, the identifier may be a
16 bit integer number similar to IP address in IPv6 protocol. Upon
receipt of an identifier, the hub can assign that time slot to the
corresponding harvester. If the hub successfully receives and
decodes the identifier of a harvester, then in the next power
waveform for harvesting (block 206), the hub transmits the decoded
identifier. The identified harvester, upon receiving the identifier
from the hub, can treat it as a confirmation of successful
registration with the hub.
[0028] The hub also determines a location of the identified
harvester and stores the location information for future
communications with the harvester. In some examples, the location
is determined by receiving location data from harvester. In some
examples, the location is determined by the hub through analysis of
the received.
[0029] Because the harvesters select the time slots randomly,
several time slots may be empty meaning that no harvester selected
that time slot for responding. In some examples, the hub can count
the number of empty time slots and use the count as an indication
of whether all of the harvesters in the area have been registered.
If no harvester responds in a particular time slot, the hub may
increase the count by one. The process flow may proceed to block
210 after processing the data received from the harvester or after
expiration of the idle time if no harvester responds in that time
slot.
[0030] At block 210, the hub determines whether the number of empty
time slots is greater than threshold number. The threshold may be
selected based on the design considerations of a particular
embodiment. Generally, the threshold will be a large enough number
to enable all of the harvesters to respond. For example, the
threshold may be approximately 200.
[0031] If the number of time slots is less than the threshold, the
process flow advances to block 206. At the next iteration of block
206, the hub includes the most recently decoded harvester
identifier. If the number of time slots is greater than the
threshold, the process flow advances to block 212. At this stage,
all of the harvesters in the area are registered and have an
assigned time slot. Also, the hub has determined the location of
each harvester and/or the beamforming parameters that will be used
for directing future communications and power packets at selected
harvesters.
[0032] At block 212, the hub sends a directed data and power
packet. The power packet is a long duration waveform that is
modulated with a single harvester identification number. The
identification number identifies the harvester so that the
harvester will be triggered to respond in the next time slot. The
transmission of the power packet and the data can be directed to
the targeted harvester through beamforming, based on the location
data or beamforming parameters stored for that particular
harvester. The data may be encoded in the power packet or the data
may be encoded in a separate data packet that follows the power
packet. If the data is transmitted in a separate data packet, the
data packet may be transmitted using lower power than the power
packet intended for harvesting. The targeted harvester harvests the
RF energy directed to it and decodes any received data.
[0033] At block 214, the hub pauses and waits for a response from
the targeted harvester. The harvester may or may not respond with a
data transmission to the hub. If the harvester responds, the data
may include the sensed information or status information that the
harvester is designed to provide. For example, in the case of a
thermometer, the data may include temperature data. The data may
also include data used to facilitate communications with the
harvester. For example, the harvester may provide information on
signal quality, power budget for harvesting, and others. The
process flow may proceed to block 216 after processing the data
received from the targeted harvester or after expiration of the
idle time if the harvester does not respond.
[0034] At block 216, the hub determines whether there are
additional harvesters that have been registered. If there are no
additional harvesters, the method advances to block 220 and ends.
If there are additional harvesters, the method advances to block
218.
[0035] At block 218, time slot identifier, n, is incremented and
harvester information is obtained for the harvester registered for
that time slot, including the beamforming information, harvester
identifier, and the like. The process flow then advances to block
212, wherein the hub sends a directed data and power packet to the
new harvester.
[0036] The method 200 should not be interpreted as meaning that the
blocks are necessarily performed in the order shown. Furthermore,
fewer or greater actions can be included in the method 200
depending on the design considerations of a particular
implementation.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a timing diagram showing an example broadcasting
transmission schedule used for registration of harvesters. The time
slots 302 to 308 correspond with blocks of the method 200 shown in
FIG. 2.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the registration process starts at block
302 with the beacon transmission by the hub. The beacon 302 is
discussed above in relation to block 202 of FIG. 2. As described
above, the beacon wakes the harvesters within range and provides
enough RF energy to enable the harvesters to communicate with the
hub during the remainder of the registration process.
[0039] At block 304, the hub transmits the time schedule as
described above in relation to 204. The time schedule defines the
timing of time slots 306 and time slots 308. At each time slot 306,
a power waveform is broadcast for power harvesting and any
confirmation identifiers are broadcast as described in blocks 206.
At each time slots 308, the hub is idle and waiting for a response
from a harvester as described above in relation to block 208 of
FIG. 2.
[0040] Time slots 306 and 308 repeat until the end of the
registration process. Each of the transmissions by the hub shown in
FIG. 3 are broadcast, meaning that they are not directed to one
specific harvester. The timing diagram 300 should not be
interpreted as meaning that the time slots are drawn to scale.
Furthermore, fewer or additional actions can be included in the
timing diagram 300 depending on the design considerations of a
particular implementation.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a timing diagram showing an example transmission
schedule used for communicating with the harvesters after they have
been registered. The time slots 402 to 406 correspond with blocks
of the method 200 shown in FIG. 2.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the communication with a particular
harvester is initiated by the time slots 402. At time slots 402, a
directed power packet is transmitted to a selected harvester as
described in block 212 of FIG. 2. As described above, the power
packet is targeted at the location of the harvester through
beamforming. The targeted harvester then harvests the power
transmitted by the hub in the power packet. In some examples, the
identifier of the targeted harvester is encoded in the power
packet.
[0043] At the time slots 404, the hub transmits data for the
targeted harvester as described above in relation to 212 of FIG. 2.
The data can include the identifier of the targeted harvester and
can also include additional information. In some examples, the time
slot 404 is eliminated, and any data to be transmitted to the
targeted harvester is included in the power packet.
[0044] At time slots 406, the hub is idle and waits for a reply
from the targeted harvester as described in block 214 of FIG. 2.
Time slots 402 to 406 repeat until the each registered harvester
has responded. Each of the transmissions by the hub shown in FIG. 4
are targeted, meaning that beamforming is used to direct the power
to the location of one specific harvester. The timing diagram 400
should not be interpreted as meaning that the time slots are drawn
to scale. Furthermore, fewer or additional actions can be included
in the timing diagram 400 depending on the design considerations of
a particular implementation.
[0045] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a medium 500 that contains
logic for forming a data and power harvesting network as described
herein. The medium 500 may be a computer-readable medium, including
a non-transitory medium, that stores code that can be accessed by a
processor 502 over a computer bus 504. For example, the
computer-readable medium 500 can be volatile or non-volatile data
storage device. The medium 500 can also be a logic unit, such as an
Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field
Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or an arrangement of logic gates
implemented in one or more integrated circuits, for example. In
some examples, the medium is included in a device that can operate
as a hub.
[0046] The medium 500 may include modules configured to perform the
techniques described herein. For example, a registration module 506
may be configured to perform a discovery process to identify the
power harvesters in the area. A data collection and power delivery
module 508 may be configured to deliver targeted power packets to
selected harvesters and collecting data from the harvesters. A
beamforming module 510 may be configured to control the parameters
of an antenna array to shape and target the beam radiated by the
antenna array. In some embodiments, the modules 506-510 may be
modules of computer code configured to direct the operations of the
processor 502.
[0047] The block diagram of FIG. 5 is not intended to indicate that
the medium 500 is to include all of the components shown in FIG. 5.
Further, the medium 500 may include any number of additional
components not shown in FIG. 5, depending on the details of the
specific implementation.
EXAMPLES
[0048] Example 1 is an electronic device to provide a wireless RF
power harvesting and data network. The electronic device includes
an antenna array; a processor; and a controller to control the
processor to: perform a registration process for a power harvesting
device to obtain information that enables transmission of a
targeted power packet to the power harvesting device through
beamforming; and transmit the targeted power packet to the power
harvesting device.
[0049] Example 2 includes the electronic device of example 1,
including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
information that enables transmission of the targeted power packet
to the power harvesting device through beamforming is location
information received from the power harvesting device.
[0050] Example 3 includes the electronic device of any one of
examples 1 to 2, including or excluding optional features. In this
example, the information that enables transmission of the targeted
power packet to the power harvesting device through beamforming is
characteristics of a signal received by the antenna array from the
power harvesting device.
[0051] Example 4 includes the electronic device of any one of
examples 1 to 3, including or excluding optional features. In this
example, the registration process includes broadcasting a schedule
of time slots to be used by the power harvesting device.
Optionally, the power harvesting device randomly selects one of the
time slots to send power harvester identification information to
the electronic device. Optionally, prior to each of the time slots,
the electronic device broadcasts a power waveform to power the
power harvesting device. Optionally, the power harvester
identification information received during a previous one of the
time slots is encoded in the power waveform.
[0052] Example 5 includes the electronic device of any one of
examples 1 to 4, including or excluding optional features. In this
example, the electronic device is a wireless network access
device.
[0053] Example 6 includes the electronic device of any one of
examples 1 to 5, including or excluding optional features. In this
example, the electronic device is a device selected from a group
that includes a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet
computer, and a smart phone.
[0054] Example 7 includes the electronic device of any one of
examples 1 to 6, including or excluding optional features. In this
example, the power harvesting device is a wearable device or an
Internet of Things (IoT) device.
[0055] Example 8 is a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable
medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor,
direct the processor to control a wireless charging device. The
computer-readable medium includes instructions that control the
processor to broadcast wireless power to enable a power harvesting
device to activate; receive, from the power harvesting device,
information that enables transmission of a targeted power packet to
the power harvesting device through beamforming; and transmit the
targeted power packet to the power harvesting device.
[0056] Example 9 includes the computer-readable medium of example
8, including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
information that enables the transmission of targeted power packet
to the power harvesting device through beamforming is location
information received from the power harvesting device.
[0057] Example 10 includes the computer-readable medium of any one
of examples 8 to 9, including or excluding optional features. In
this example, the information that enables transmission of the
targeted power packet to the power harvesting device through
beamforming is characteristics of a signal received by an antenna
array from the power harvesting device.
[0058] Example 11 includes the computer-readable medium of any one
of examples 8 to 10, including or excluding optional features. In
this example, the computer-readable medium includes instructions to
generate a schedule of time slots to be broadcast to the power
harvesting device. Optionally, the power harvesting device randomly
selects one of the time slots to transmit power harvester
identification information to be received by the processor.
Optionally, the computer-readable medium includes instructions to
control the processor to broadcasts a power waveform to power the
power harvesting device prior to each of the time slots.
Optionally, the computer-readable medium includes instructions to
control the processor to encode the power harvester identification
information received during a previous one of the time slots into
the power waveform.
[0059] Example 12 includes the computer-readable medium of any one
of examples 8 to 11, including or excluding optional features. In
this example, the computer-readable medium is included in a
wireless network access device.
[0060] Example 13 includes the computer-readable medium of any one
of examples 8 to 12, including or excluding optional features. In
this example, the computer-readable medium is included in a device
selected from a group that includes a laptop computer, a desktop
computer, a tablet computer, and a smart phone.
[0061] Example 14 includes the computer-readable medium of any one
of examples 8 to 13, including or excluding optional features. In
this example, the power harvesting device is a wearable device or
an Internet of Things (IoT) device.
[0062] Example 15 is a method of forming a wireless RF power
harvesting and data network. The method includes broadcasting
wireless power to enable a power harvesting device to activate;
receiving information from the power harvesting device that enables
transmission of a targeted power packet to the power harvesting
device through beamforming; and transmitting the targeted power
packet to the power harvesting device.
[0063] Example 16 includes the method of example 15, including or
excluding optional features. In this example, the information that
enables the transmission of the targeted power packet to the power
harvesting device through beamforming is location information
received from the power harvesting device.
[0064] Example 17 includes the method of any one of examples 15 to
16, including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
information that enables the targeted power packet to be
transmitted to the power harvesting device through beamforming is
characteristics of a signal received by an antenna array from the
power harvesting device.
[0065] Example 18 includes the method of any one of examples 15 to
17, including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
method includes broadcasting a schedule of time slots to the power
harvesting device. Optionally, the power harvesting device randomly
selects one of the time slots to transmit power harvester
identification information. Optionally, the method includes
broadcasting a power waveform prior to each of the time slots, each
power waveform to power the power harvesting device. Optionally,
the method includes encoding the power harvester identification
information received during a previous one of the time slots into
the power waveform.
[0066] Example 19 includes the method of any one of examples 15 to
18, including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
method is performed by a wireless network access device.
[0067] Example 20 includes the method of any one of examples 15 to
19, including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
method is performed by a device selected from a group that includes
a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, and a
smart phone.
[0068] Example 21 includes the method of any one of examples 15 to
20, including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
power harvesting device is a wearable device or an Internet of
Things (IoT) device.
[0069] Example 22 is an apparatus to form a wireless RF power
harvesting and data network. The apparatus includes means for
broadcasting wireless power to enable a power harvesting device to
activate; means for receiving information from the power harvesting
device that enables the transmission of a targeted power packet to
the power harvesting device through beamforming; and means for
transmitting the targeted power packet to the power harvesting
device.
[0070] Example 23 includes the apparatus of example 22, including
or excluding optional features. In this example, the information
that enables the transmission of the targeted power packet to the
power harvesting device through beamforming is location information
received from the power harvesting device.
[0071] Example 24 includes the apparatus of any one of examples 22
to 23, including or excluding optional features. In this example,
the information that enables the transmission of the targeted power
packet to the power harvesting device through beamforming is
characteristics of a signal received by an antenna array from the
power harvesting device.
[0072] Example 25 includes the apparatus of any one of examples 22
to 24, including or excluding optional features. In this example,
the apparatus includes means for broadcasting a schedule of time
slots to the power harvesting device. Optionally, the power
harvesting device randomly selects one of the time slots to
transmit power harvester identification information. Optionally,
the apparatus includes means for broadcasting a power waveform
prior to each of the time slots, each power waveform to power the
power harvesting device. Optionally, the apparatus includes means
for encoding the power harvester identification information
received during a previous one of the time slots into the power
waveform.
[0073] Example 26 includes the apparatus of any one of examples 22
to 25, including or excluding optional features. In this example,
the apparatus is a wireless network access device.
[0074] Example 27 includes the apparatus of any one of examples 22
to 26, including or excluding optional features. In this example,
the apparatus is a device selected from a group that includes a
laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, and a smart
phone.
[0075] Example 28 includes the apparatus of any one of examples 22
to 27, including or excluding optional features. In this example,
the power harvesting device is a wearable device or an Internet of
Things (IoT) device.
[0076] Example 29 is a system to form a wireless charging and data
network, the system. The system includes an antenna array; and a
controller to: broadcast wireless power to enable a power
harvesting device to activate; receive, from the power harvesting
device, information that enables a targeted power packet to be
transmitted to the power harvesting device through beamforming; and
transmit the targeted power packet to the power harvesting
device.
[0077] Example 30 includes the system of example 29, including or
excluding optional features. In this example, the information that
enables the targeted power packet to be transmitted to the power
harvesting device through beamforming is location information
received from the power harvesting device.
[0078] Example 31 includes the system of any one of examples 29 to
30, including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
information that enables the targeted power packet to be
transmitted to the power harvesting device through beamforming is
characteristics of a signal received by an antenna array from the
power harvesting device.
[0079] Example 32 includes the system of any one of examples 29 to
31, including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
controller is to generate a schedule of time slots and broadcast
the schedule of time slots to the power harvesting device.
Optionally, the power harvesting device randomly selects one of the
time slots to transmit power harvester identification information
to be received by the processor. Optionally, the controller is to
broadcast a power waveform to power the power harvesting device
prior to each of the time slots. Optionally, the controller is to
encode the power harvester identification information received
during a previous one of the time slots into the power
waveform.
[0080] Example 33 includes the system of any one of examples 29 to
32, including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
system is included in a wireless network access device.
[0081] Example 34 includes the system of any one of examples 29 to
33, including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
system is included in a device selected from a group that includes
a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, and a
smart phone.
[0082] Example 35 includes the system of any one of examples 29 to
34, including or excluding optional features. In this example, the
power harvesting device is a wearable device or an Internet of
Things (IoT) device.
[0083] Some embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination
of hardware, firmware, and software. Some embodiments may also be
implemented as instructions stored on the tangible non-transitory
machine-readable medium, which may be read and executed by a
computing platform to perform the operations described. In
addition, a machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for
storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a
machine, e.g., a computer. For example, a machine-readable medium
may include read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM);
magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory
devices; or electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of
propagated signals, e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital
signals, or the interfaces that transmit and/or receive signals,
among others.
[0084] An embodiment is an implementation or example. Reference in
the specification to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," "some
embodiments," "various embodiments," or "other embodiments" means
that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described
in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some
embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the present
techniques. The various appearances of "an embodiment," "one
embodiment," or "some embodiments" are not necessarily all
referring to the same embodiments.
[0085] Not all components, features, structures, characteristics,
etc. described and illustrated herein need be included in a
particular embodiment or embodiments. If the specification states a
component, feature, structure, or characteristic "may", "might",
"can" or "could" be included, for example, that particular
component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to
be included. If the specification or claim refers to "a" or "an"
element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If
the specification or claims refer to "an additional" element, that
does not preclude there being more than one of the additional
element.
[0086] It is to be noted that, although some embodiments have been
described in reference to particular implementations, other
implementations are possible according to some embodiments.
Additionally, the arrangement and/or order of circuit elements or
other features illustrated in the drawings and/or described herein
need not be arranged in the particular way illustrated and
described. Many other arrangements are possible according to some
embodiments.
[0087] In each system shown in a figure, the elements in some cases
may each have a same reference number or a different reference
number to suggest that the elements represented could be different
and/or similar. However, an element may be flexible enough to have
different implementations and work with some or all of the systems
shown or described herein. The various elements shown in the
figures may be the same or different. Which one is referred to as a
first element and which is called a second element is
arbitrary.
[0088] It is to be understood that specifics in the aforementioned
examples may be used anywhere in one or more embodiments. For
instance, all optional features of the computing device described
above may also be implemented with respect to either of the methods
or the computer-readable medium described herein. Furthermore,
although flow diagrams and/or state diagrams may have been used
herein to describe embodiments, the techniques are not limited to
those diagrams or to corresponding descriptions herein. For
example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state
or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described
herein.
[0089] The present techniques are not restricted to the particular
details listed herein. Indeed, those skilled in the art having the
benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that many other
variations from the foregoing description and drawings may be made
within the scope of the present techniques. Accordingly, it is the
following claims including any amendments thereto that define the
scope of the present techniques.
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